Senior Assistant Director of Admissions

Willamette University • Salem, OR

118d • $62,000

About The Position

The Senior Assistant Director of Admissions is essential to supporting the mission and enrollment goals of Willamette University and to ensuring the current and future academic quality and fiscal health of the University. This position reports directly to the Director of Recruitment. The Senior Assistant Director of Admissions will take primary responsibility for coordinating the competitive scholarships program for Willamette College’s Office of Admissions. This will include coordination of application preparation and website updates, liaising with faculty, training application readers both in and out of the office of admissions, and maintaining a complex application and decision release schedule. This position will ensure that updated scholarship letters are prepared and released, that the scholarship details are met and fulfilled within the donor agreement parameters, and that the appropriate number of scholarships are offered to meet University budgets. The Senior Assistant Director of Admissions also participates as part of Willamette College’s Admissions team in all admission-related activities including, but not limited to, management of an admission territory; high school visitations and University representation at college fairs; correspondence, telephone and email contacts; conducting on-and-off campus interviews; implementation of on-and off-campus events; review of applicant files; participation in merit scholarship recommendations; and daily execution of the communication and yield strategy for admitted students.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably from an independent residential liberal arts college
• A minimum of four years of experience working in admissions or a related field
• Extensive knowledge of a university environment and undergraduate admission
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to describe university programs and campus culture
• Ability to articulate the value and benefits of a liberal arts education to a variety of audiences
• Ability to work independently as well as establish and maintain collegial relations with other university staff, faculty and students
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a close and integrated team of admission professionals
• Demonstrated commitment to working with students from underrepresented groups with the goal of building a culturally diverse educational environment
• Ability to plan, organize and implement programs and projects related to the university’s enrollment goals
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive or protected information
• Ability to plan and execute travel independently and responsibly
• Technological skills to support territory management as well as daily contact with students, faculty, staff and others
• Appreciation for college-age students and the varied nature and expectations of serving that population
• Willingness to take direction
• Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in higher education or other related discipline

Responsibilities

• Meets or exceeds enrollment goals from the designated travel territory for Willamette college
• Performs six to eight weeks of admissions-related travel annually, including high school visits, college fairs, receptions for prospective and admitted students, off-campus interviews, counselor events, and professional conferences
• Works collaboratively with the admissions team to manage the assigned territory and exercises discretion in planning for travel, receptions and other special events
• Executes a prescribed telephone and email communication plan that follows the continuum from inquiry to application to matriculation in support of overall admissions and net revenue goals
• Conducts extensive on- and off-campus admissions interviews for prospective students, including time for parents/family members; documents the interview in a formal written evaluation which is included in the applicant’s file
• Conducts presentations to prospective students and their parents/families during on-campus visits
• Reviews applications for admission for the assigned territory and recommends students for admission or for review by the admissions committee
• Serves as a member of the admissions committee during application file review
• Supports and participates in social networking initiatives for the office of admissions
• Safeguards the confidentiality of student, staff and university information
• Demonstrates the highest professional demeanor and ethical behavior while representing the university
• Exhibits outstanding speaking, writing and listening skills
• Reads widely to remain current in external market conditions and identify best admission practices
• Coordinates scholarship application preparation and website updates
• Liaises with faculty
• Trains scholarship application readers both in and out of the office of admissions
• Maintains a complex application and decision release schedule
• Reviews and updates scholarship award letters
• Ensures that updated scholarship letters are prepared and released
• Ensures that the scholarship details are met and fulfilled within the donor agreement parameters
• Tracks awarding to ensure an appropriate number of scholarships are offered to meet university budget goals

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement
• Substantial paid time off
• Tuition assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree